May December: May 2009

Pediatric Prom at Memorial Sloan-Kettering - Dress Drive

The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Children’s Committee is asking MelissaCMorris.com readers for their help with the Dress Drive for The Society’s Annual Pediatric Prom.

The Prom is the most eagerly anticipated event of the year for MSKCC pediatric patients. It gives patients the opportunity to dress up like royalty and celebrate with friends -- they let loose, dance, eat, sing and just enjoy life.

The Society of MSKCC would be so grateful if blog readers would donate dresses/accessories so each female patient can find the perfect outfit for this special day.

Here are two pictures of "Promingdales" in Pediatrics:

Each year the patient playroom is transformed into "Promingdales" before the Prom. Peds rolls out tons of dress racks filled with gorgeous gowns for the female patients.

The prom is fast approaching and many dresses and accessories are still needed!

Here are the specifics on donations needed...

**ONLY NEW DRESSES & ACCESSORIES**
-Girls dresses: sizes 7-16
-Adult dresses: sizes 12-20+
-Accessories: shawls, necklaces, bracelets, purses
-Make-up: eye shadow, lip gloss, blush, etc.

Donations can be mailed to:

The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
ATTN: Jennifer Gilmore
1233 York Avenue, Suite B-101
New York, NY 10065

I've just mailed off a big box of pretty, girly things, and I hope you can send a little something too. The donation deadline is Monday, June 1st, so if you're able to donate please do so right away.

For a brief video segment on the Prom please see this World News Tonight clip.
For more information on The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center please visit their website.

Boat Shoes

I haven't worn them since the 80s, but this summer I'll be donning an old favorite again...

Top-Siders:

The traditional brown pair are for old times' sake, and the orange pair are the new bolder and brighter alternative.

Sperry Top-Siders.

Spring Ball for The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Last week we went to the 2nd Annual Spring Ball for The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. This was such a fun way to support a cause that's very important to us. The ballroom of The Plaza was packed with friends, scientists, and celebs. It was wonderful to see so many turn out for The Society of MSKCC.

Macy Gray provided the entertainment while we all sang along. I had a great view of the stage from my seat:

Smiles during cocktails:

Photo by Chance Yeh via NYSocialDiary.com.

For full coverage of the event please visit NYSD.
For more information on The Society of MSKCC please visit their website.

The Architecture of Grosvenor Atterbury

This past week I spent a few quiet afternoons happily reading The Architecture of Grosvenor Atterbury, a new book by Peter Pennoyer and Anne Walker.

Peter is an accomplished architect and Anne is an accomplished architectural historian. This is the dynamic duo's third book together.

Here I am with the friendly authors last week at their book party:

Grosvenor Atterbury (1869-1956) was an American architect who designed many buildings that are familiar to this blogger -- like the Parrish Art Museum in Southampton, NY (a regular stop on the summer social circuit out in the Hamptons) and the big stone lodges in Acadia National Park in Northeast Harbor, ME (a regular stop on my summer road trips through Maine when I younger). Atterbury is perhaps best known for designing Forest Hills Gardens, a planned community in Queens that resembles a leafy, Tudor-filled village in the English countryside.

The book is chock-a-block with photographs, floorplans, drawings, and details. I especially enjoyed the stories behind the designs of Atterbury's grand country cottages in Southampton and the stately city homes of prominent New Yorkers (like the Phipps family). It's a lovely read, and I always like a lesson in American architectural history.

Here are a few of the beautiful photographs from the book...

Governor's Room - City Hall - City of New York:

Fabbri house - Library - East 95th Street:

Arthur Curtiss James estate - Cow Barn - Newport, RI:

Lantern - Forest Hills Gardens:

The Architecture of Grosvenor Atterbury by Peter Pennoyer and Anne Walker.

Dinner from Park Avenue Potluck

I blogged about Park Avenue Potluck, The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's fabulous cookbook, years ago.

I've recently rediscovered my copy, and it's even better than I remembered. Edited by Florence Fabricant, this book is filled with 100+ delicious recipes -- everything from cocktails to casseroles to cookies.

Last weekend I made Coco Kopelman's Lemony Stuffed Sole Fillets and Chesie Breen's Fine-Tuned Green Beans With Feta:

We *loved* both dishes. "It's dinner party worthy!" Chappy exclaimed as he cleaned his plate.

I'll be cooking more Park Avenue Potluck dishes in the near future... maybe the Baked Spinach Risotto next, or the Cider-Roasted Loin of Pork, or perhaps the Asian Asparagus Stir-Fry...? It all sounds good.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com - Park Avenue Potluck, and a portion of the proceeds go to The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Lilly Pulitzer Jeep

The Lilly Pulitzer Jeep always brightens up the side streets in my neighborhood:

I love rounding a corner and seeing all those pretty pastels!

Lilly Pulitzer Jeep.

Autism Awareness Day at Citi Field

This past weekend we headed out to the Mets new stadium, Citi Field, for Autism Awareness Day.

Year after year this is one the Mets biggest fundraisers. It was great to see the ballpark packed for such an important cause.

Our nice view of the field from the party suites:

Gary Dell'abate from the Howard Stern Show threw out the first pitch (click to enlarge):

Gary then joined the party up in the suites. He was very friendly and took lots of time to sign autographs, chat with kids and parents, and pose for photos.

We came to the game to support our friends, Lauren and Jim Watkins, who were instrumental in planning this event. They have a son who has autism, and they're both tireless supporters of this cause.

Chappy and the lovely Lauren:

MCM and Jim:

Jim is the anchorman for PIX News at 10 in NYC, and it was fun to see him doing a little broadcasting and commentary during the game. Jim, center:

Mr. Met came by the suite and caused quite a stir. Everyone was clamoring to have their photo taken with him...

Mr. Met and Mr. Morris:

All smiles for the Mets (who beat the Pirates that day!) and Autism Awareness:

Salmon Cove - New Colors and a Discount Code

The boys at Salmon Cove have recently released their summer line with some fun new colors.

For me, it's always the brighter, the better...

I liked their Tucket:

It's raspberry with a light blue collar.

And their Kennebunk:

Mint green with a watermelon collar.

They're both perfect for summertime.

The shirts are fitted just right (not too tight), the material is soft and a little bit stretchy, and the collar-up styling is a fun take on the classic polo.

For a generous 20% off all Salmon Cove merchandise use the code "MCM" at checkout on their website. The discount code is good until June 12th.

Happy shopping!
Salmon Cove.

Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster - Book Signing

Last night I headed down to the Union Square Barnes & Noble for a reading/signing of Jen Lancaster's new book, Pretty in Plaid.

I've been a longtime reader of Jen's books, and Jen has been a longtime reader of this blog (I'm so flattered that she reads my site), so I jumped at the chance to meet her in person.

Barnes & Noble was packed:

There were hundreds of women at the event; it was standing room only.

They played great 80s music while we waited - I always appreciate a little New Order in the afternoon - and before we knew it Jen took the stage.

She was clad in preppy from head to toe:

I dig that madras.

Jen's latest book is a memoir. She read an excerpt about her college days and the misadventures she had while rushing a sorority. She encountered many judgy-wudgy blonde girls in twinsets from Grosse Pointe, MI and hilarity ensued. (...Never mind that this blogger is a blonde girl who wears twinsets and briefly lived in Grosse Pointe, MI. Ahem.)

After the chapter reading there was a lively Q&A. Jen answered fun questions... everything from who should play her in a movie version of her life (Elizabeth Banks) to what she thinks Kirstie Alley should be doing aside from yo-yo dieting (Jen suggested Kirstie "take a pottery class"). She had the audience cracking up.

We had the nicest time chatting while she signed my book after the reading.

MCM and Jen Lancaster:

Jen couldn't be cuter and nicer in person (and she was wearing pearls!).

I can't wait to read my copy of Pretty in Plaid:

Jen Lancaster's blog.
Pretty in Plaid.

Italian Lakes - Part II, Villa d'Este

After our stay on Lake Garda we drove 2.5 hours northwest to Lake Como. The roads were windy, tiny, and semi-scary, but when we arrived in one piece (barely) at Villa d'Este we knew it was worth the trip.

The glorious Villa d'Este, front and back:

Our room, a junior suite in the main building. The bedroom:

The sitting room (avec complimentary bottle of champagne for our anniversary from the hotel's manager - a nice touch):

The modern marble bath:

Our view:

The view of the lake was exquisite. We watched the sun come up, saw the clouds roll in and out over the mountains, and looked at the boats shuttling back and forth -- it was so much fun to simply sit and stare out the window.

The lakeside pool:

Mel hugging the European statue:

(This is an ongoing photo series that longtime blog readers will recognize. There have been other hugs in southern France and central Spain -- I think this is my 7th or 8th statue in the 'hugging series'.)

Just relaxing and enjoying the scenery:

My husband the golfer, indoors at the hotel's fitness center playing computer golf on a rainy afternoon:

Cute!:

The hallway outside our room:

The entire property was luxurious and opulent. We loved our time there.

Villa d'Este.

Italian Lakes - Part I, Villa Feltrinelli

On the first leg of our Italian holiday we flew to Milan, picked up our rental car, and drove east to Lago di Garda. Two plus hours later we arrived at our extraordinary hotel.

Villa Feltrinelli, front and back:

Grand, elegant, and luxurious, this boutique hotel was one of the nicest properties (perhaps the nicest) I've stayed in.

The service was impeccable, the rooms were stately and well-appointed, and all the details throughout the hotel were just right. Villa Feltrinelli was impressive from tip to tail. It was the perfect place to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

The general manager presented me with this pretty bouquet of roses when we checked in and told us to think of the hotel as our home. It was a lovely gesture:

Our room, a junior suite in the main building:

The sitting area in our room:

Another shot of the sitting area. Those tall windows with their beautiful sheers let in just the right amount of light:

The picture perfect view of the hills from our bed:

The deep soaking tub in our bathroom:

It's so romantic at Villa Feltrinelli even the bathrobes hold hands:

It's hard to tell from the photos, but the ceilings are quite high throughout the property -- they were about 14 feet high in our room and 20 feet high in the dining room and lobby. There was plenty of room to stretch out and luxuriate.

There are 5 manicured acres of grounds around Villa Feltrinelli, all right on the lake.

The waterside patio: